Julius Brian Siswojo, a pioneering figure in Hong Kong’s skateboarding scene and co-founder of the local hip-hop group 24Herbs, attributes his longevity and vitality in part to the sport that has shaped much of his life. Now 52, Siswojo has been involved in skateboarding since 1988 and has spent decades promoting the sport in a city where it has often been associated with negative stereotypes.

Born in Jakarta, Indonesia, Siswojo moved to Hong Kong at age 11 to pursue better educational opportunities, a move prompted by his mother. He discovered skateboarding as a teenager, finding in it an outlet and a means of escape from the pressures of a confined urban environment. Despite being exposed to the prevalent youth culture of smoking and drugs, Siswojo maintained a disciplined lifestyle, refraining from such vices out of respect for his parents’ sacrifices.

In 1999, Siswojo combined his passion for skateboarding with entrepreneurship by founding 8Five2, a skateboard and streetwear shop and label, along with the All Hong Kong Skateboards Association, which organizes regular events to promote the sport locally. His involvement in entertainment expanded in the mid-2000s when he co-founded 24Herbs, performing under the name Sir JBS, and later ventured into acting.

Health challenges, notably a back injury in 2000, prompted Siswojo to re-examine his lifestyle, which at the time included a diet high in sugar and unhealthy foods. He undertook intermittent fasting and reduced his intake of carbohydrates and sugar, resulting in weight loss and improved mobility. However, sustained discipline eluded him until family life provided renewed motivation. When his wife, Annie Lee, became pregnant in 2009, he adopted a vegetarian diet throughout her pregnancy and maintained a pescatarian diet for 15 years afterward for the sake of health and longevity.

In 2025, during a trip to Tokyo, Siswojo reintroduced meat into his diet after accidentally consuming pork, a change encouraged by his family. He continues to limit sugar and carbohydrate intake and occasionally practices intermittent fasting.

Siswojo’s commitment to fitness intensified in 2018 after meeting a personal trainer, leading to a rigorous weekly schedule that includes cardio, weight training, swimming, running, and regular skateboarding. This regimen supports his goal of sustaining an active lifestyle that allows him to continue skating well into his fifties.

Beyond personal health, Siswojo uses his experience to mentor younger skaters, emphasizing the importance of physical fitness and healthy eating to enhance performance and reduce injuries.

Skateboarding’s inclusion in the Olympic Games—debuting at Tokyo 2021 and featured again in Paris 2024 with plans for Los Angeles 2028—has been met with mixed reactions in the community. While some traditionalists express concern about commercialization and loss of the subculture’s rebellious spirit, Siswojo welcomes the exposure. He believes Olympic recognition can increase funding, improve infrastructure, and provide career opportunities for professional skaters.

For Siswojo, skateboarding remains a central part of his identity and well-being. “You have to fall 10,000 times in order to land a trick,” he reflects. Despite differing opinions on the sport’s future, he hopes more people will embrace skateboarding, recognizing its profound positive impact on his life and career.